Information processing system capable of automatically configuring settings for functional cooperation between apparatuses, image pickup apparatus, method of controlling the image pickup apparatus, and storage medium

ABSTRACT

An information processing system that automatically configures settings for functional cooperation between an information processing apparatus and an image pickup apparatus. The information processing system includes a network camera and an MFP configured to receive predetermined information from the camera. A CPU of the camera sends the predetermined information to the MFP when an approach of a user to the MFP is detected. The CPU sets a detection frame extracted from image data obtained by picking up an image of the MFP, to detect the user&#39;s approach thereto. Then, the CPU determines whether the detection frame has a size equal to or larger than a predetermined threshold. When the size of the detection frame is not equal to or larger than the predetermined threshold, the CPU detects whether or not the user has approached the MFP, using the detection frame.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an image processing system, an imagepickup apparatus, a method of controlling the image pickup apparatus,and a storage medium.

Description of the Related Art

With improvement of the computational performance of network cameras andthe image quality of images picked up by the network cameras, there havebeen proposed not only an application for video recording formonitoring, but also various other applications including one forfunctional cooperation with an information processing apparatus.Further, a multifunction peripheral as an example of the informationprocessing apparatus has come to have more and more complicatedfunctions, and even a function that cannot be realized by a singlemultifunction peripheral is now demanded so as to improve officeproductivity, for example.

To cope with this situation, there has been proposed to cause a networkcamera to cooperate with a multifunction peripheral to thereby improvethe functionality of the multifunction peripheral.

For example, a multifunction peripheral has a function for shifting to apower saving mode when it is not in use so as to reduce powerconsumption. In the power saving mode, it is preferable to de-energizecomponents including sensors so as to minimize power consumption, but ina case where a sensor for detecting a user is de-energized, themultifunction peripheral cannot detect an approach of the user.

For this reason, de-energization of the sensor for detecting a user hasa problem that the user cannot use the multifunction peripheral at anytime the user desires to use it.

To solve this problem, there has been proposed a functional cooperationin which upon detection of a user's approach, a network camera transmitsa wakeup packet to a multifunction peripheral which cooperates with thenetwork camera so as to cancel the power saving mode of themultifunction peripheral.

In order to achieve the functional cooperation, it is required toconfigure how the network camera monitors which multifunction peripheraland how the network camera makes notification to the multifunctionperipheral. This configuration is complicated and troublesome because anetwork camera is not provided with a user interface device, such as aliquid crystal panel and a keyboard.

As a technique for automating the above-mentioned configuration, therehas been proposed one in which a plurality of monitoring cameras areeach provided with a function of detecting features of a monitoringtarget, such as the size, motion, etc. of the same, then calculatingpriorities of monitoring from the features, and sending the result ofthe calculation to a controller connected to a network, and thecontroller gives a monitoring priority right to one of the monitoringcameras based on the received priorities to thereby monitor a videosignal from the monitoring camera to which the monitoring priority rightis given (see Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2000-333159).

To realize return of the multifunction peripheral from the power savingmode by functional cooperation, each network camera is required to storesettings of a detection frame within a picked-up image so as todetermine that a user's approach has been sensed.

The settings of a detection frame can be determined by extractingfeature points from the shape of the multifunction peripheral andperforming object recognition processing on the feature points.

However, the positional relationship between a multifunction peripheraland a network camera differs depending on the situation of installationof the apparatuses, and hence it is required to change the settingsdepending on the positional relationship, which is very troublesome.

Further, even when the settings are configured according to theinstallation situation, the settings can be made invalid e.g. due tolayout change or location of an obstacle, and a check operation forchecking a cause of the invalid condition is also troublesome.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides an information processing system capableof automatically configuring settings for enabling appropriate executionof functional cooperation between an information processing apparatusand an image pickup apparatus, an image pickup apparatus, a method ofcontrolling the image pickup apparatus, and a storage medium.

In a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a imagepickup apparatus that notifies predetermined information to aninformation processing apparatus in a case where an approach of a userto the information processing apparatus is detected, comprising adetection frame-setting unit configured to set a detection frameextracted from picked-up image data obtained by picking up an image ofthe information processing apparatus, so as to detect the user'sapproach to the information processing apparatus, a determination unitconfigured to determine whether or not the detection frame set by thedetection frame-setting unit has a size equal to or larger than apredetermined threshold value, and a detection unit configured to detectwhether or not the user has approached the information processingapparatus, using the detection frame, in a case where it is determinedby the determination unit that the size of the detection frame is notequal to or larger than the predetermined threshold value.

In a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided aninformation processing system including an image pickup apparatus and aninformation processing apparatus configured to receive predeterminedinformation from the image pickup apparatus, wherein the image pickupapparatus notifies the predetermined information to the informationprocessing apparatus in a case where an approach of a user to theinformation processing apparatus is detected, and comprises a detectionframe-setting unit configured to set a detection frame extracted frompicked-up image data obtained by picking up an image of the informationprocessing apparatus, so as to detect the user's approach to theinformation processing apparatus, a determination unit configured todetermine whether or not the detection frame set by the detectionframe-setting unit has a size equal to or larger than a predeterminedthreshold value, and a detection unit configured to detect whether ornot the user has approached the information processing apparatus, usingthe detection frame, in a case where it is determined by thedetermination unit that the size of the detection frame is not equal toor larger than the predetermined threshold value.

In a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a methodof controlling an image pickup apparatus that notifies predeterminedinformation to an information processing apparatus in a case where anapproach of a user to the information processing apparatus is detected,comprising setting a detection frame extracted from picked-up image dataobtained by picking up an image of the information processing apparatus,so as to detect the user's approach to the information processingapparatus, determining whether or not the detection frame set by saidsetting of the detection frame has a size equal to or larger than apredetermined threshold value, and detecting whether or not the user hasapproached the information processing apparatus, using the detectionframe, in a case where it is determined by said determining that thesize of the detection frame is not equal to or larger than thepredetermined threshold value.

In a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is a non-transitorycomputer-readable storage medium storing a computer-executable programfor executing a method of controlling an image pickup apparatus thatnotifies predetermined information to an information processingapparatus in a case where an approach of a user to the informationprocessing apparatus is detected, wherein the method comprises setting adetection frame extracted from picked-up image data obtained by pickingup an image of the information processing apparatus, so as to detect theuser's approach to the information processing apparatus, determiningwhether or not the detection frame set by said setting of the detectionframe has a size equal to or larger than a predetermined thresholdvalue, and detecting whether or not the user has approached theinformation processing apparatus, using the detection frame, in a casewhere it is determined by said determining that the size of thedetection frame is not equal to or larger than the predeterminedthreshold value.

According to the present invention, in a case where it is determinedthat the size of the detection frame extracted and set so as to detectan approach of a user is not equal to or larger than the predeterminedthreshold value, detection of whether or not the user has approached theinformation processing apparatus is performed using the detection frame.This makes it possible to automatically configure settings for enablingappropriate detection of the user. Therefore, according to the presentinvention, it is possible to provide an information processing systemcapable of automatically configuring settings for enabling appropriateexecution of functional cooperation between an information processingapparatus and an image pickup apparatus, an image pickup apparatus, amethod of controlling the image pickup apparatus, and a storage medium.

Further features of the present invention will become apparent from thefollowing description of exemplary embodiments (with reference to theattached drawings).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an information processing system accordingto an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a controller section of an MFP appearing inFIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a controller section of a network cameraappearing in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a detection mode-setting process executed by aCPU appearing in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a re-detection process performed by the CPU.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

The present invention will now be described in detail below withreference to the accompanying drawings showing embodiments thereof.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an information processing system 1according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, the information processing system 1 is comprised ofan image forming apparatus (hereinafter referred to as “the MFP”) 100 asan information processing apparatus, and a network camera 200 as animage pickup apparatus, which are interconnected by a LAN 300.

The MFP 100 is comprised of a controller section 101, a console section102, a printer section 103, and a scanner section 104.

The controller section 101 controls the overall operation of the MFP100. The console section 102 is connected to the controller section 101to display various kinds of information for a user and receive anoperation input from the user. The printer section 103 is connected tothe controller section 101 to print an image on a recording medium, suchas a sheet. The scanner section 104 is connected to the controllersection 101 to read an original image and output image data indicativeof the original image.

The network camera 200 delivers a wakeup packet to the MFP 100, aspredetermined information to be output when an approach of a user to theMFP 100 is detected, so as to instruct the MFP 100 to cancel a powersaving mode of the MFP 100.

The network camera 200 is comprised of a controller section 201 and acamera section 202.

The controller section 201 controls the overall operation of the networkcamera 200. The camera section 202 is connected to the controllersection 201 to output picked-up image data.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the controller section 101 of the MFP 100appearing in FIG. 1.

Referring to FIG. 2, the controller section 101 is comprised of a CPU501, a DRAM 502, an I/O controller 503, a network interface 506, an IDE(integrated device electronics) interface 504, a panel interface 507, aprinter interface 508, a scanner interface 509, and an HDD 505.

The CPU 501 controls the components of the controller section 101 tothereby control the overall operation of the MFP 100. The CPU 501 isconnected to the DRAM 502 via a bus.

The DRAM 502 is used by the CPU 501, as a work memory for temporarilyloading data of programs of operation instructions and data to beprocessed, for arithmetic operation.

The CPU 501 is connected to the I/O controller 503 via a bus. The I/Ocontroller 503 performs inputting and outputting of information to andfrom the components of the controller section 101 in response toinstructions from the CPU 501. The I/O controller 503 is connected tothe IDE interface 504, and the IDE interface 504 is connected to the HDD505.

The CPU 501 uses the HDD 505 so as to permanently store programs usedfor realizing functions provided for an image forming apparatus, readdocument data, and so forth.

The I/O controller 503 has the network interface 506 connected thereto,and the CPU 501 communicates with the LAN 300 via the network interface506.

The I/O controller 503 has the panel interface 507 connected thereto,and the CPU 501 displays various kinds of information on the consolesection 102 and detects details of operation inputs from a user, via thepanel interface 507.

The I/O controller 503 has the printer interface 508 connected thereto,and the CPU 501 controls the printer section 103 via the printerinterface 508.

The I/O controller 503 has the scanner interface 509 connected thereto,and the CPU 501 controls the scanner section 104 via the scannerinterface 509.

With the above-described configuration, when the copy function is to beperformed, the CPU 501 loads a program therefor into the DRAM 502 fromthe HDD 505 via the IDE interface 504.

Then, the CPU 501 detects a copy instruction given to the consolesection 102 by the user via the panel interface 507 according to theprogram loaded in the DRAM 502.

Upon detecting the copy instruction, the CPU 501 stores, via the scannerinterface 507, image data which the scanner section 104 outputs byreading an original, in the DRAM 502.

The CPU 501 performs a color conversion process and the like process onthe image data stored in the DRAM 502 so as to make the image datasuitable for printing. The CPU 501 transfers the image data stored inthe DRAM 502 to the printer section 103 via the printer interface 508,and the printer section 103 prints the image data on a recording medium.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the controller section 201 of the networkcamera 200 appearing in FIG. 1.

Referring to FIG. 3, the controller section 201 is comprised of a CPU601, a DRAM 602, an I/O controller 603, a network interface 606, an IDEinterface 604, a camera interface 607, and an HDD 605.

The CPU 601 controls the components of the controller section 201 tothereby control the overall operation of the network camera 200.

The CPU 601 is connected to the DRAM 602 via a bus.

The DRAM 602 is used by the CPU 601, as a work memory for temporarilyloading data of programs of operation instructions and data to beprocessed, for arithmetic operation.

The CPU 601 is connected to the I/O controller 603 via a bus. The I/Ocontroller 603 performs inputting and outputting of information to andfrom the components of the controller section 201 in response toinstructions from the CPU 601. The I/O controller 603 is connected tothe IDE interface 604, and the IDE interface 604 is connected to the HDD605.

The CPU 601 uses the HDD 605 so as to permanently store programs forrealizing functions provided for a network camera, picked-up image dataacquired by shooting, and so forth.

The I/O controller 603 has the network interface 606 connected thereto,and the CPU 601 communicates with the LAN 300 via the network interface606.

The I/O controller 603 has the camera interface 607 connected thereto,and the CPU 601 achieves a shooting process using the camera section 202via the camera interface 607.

With the above-described configuration, when performing a monitoringimage-storing function, the CPU 601 loads a program therefor into theDRAM 602 from the HDD 605 via the IDE interface 604.

Then, the CPU 601 instructs the camera section 202 via the camerainterface 607 to store a video image, according to the program loaded inthe DRAM 602. Upon receiving picked-up image data from the camerasection 202, the CPU 601 stores the picked-up image data in the HDD 605.

Next, a description will be given of an operation performed duringcooperation between the MFP 100 and the network camera 200. In a casewhere the MFP 100 and the network camera 200 cooperate with each otherfor returning the MFP 100 from the power saving mode, the CPU 601 of thenetwork camera 200 operates in a monitoring mode in which monitoring isperformed according to cooperation settings stored in the HDD 605.

In order to configure the cooperation settings, information is necessarywhich indicates correspondence between a detection frame provided withina shooting area and a network address of the MFP 100.

The CPU 601 sequentially loads picked-up image data items received fromthe camera section 202 into the DRAM 602 to thereby determine whether ornot there is any person having entered the detection frame. If such aperson exists, the CPU 601 determines that a person has approached theMFP 100 and delivers a wakeup packet to the MFP 100.

When the MFP 100 receives the wakeup packet, the CPU 501 instructs eachof the components connected to the IDE interface 504, the panelinterface 507, the printer interface 508, and the scanner interface 509,respectively, to execute activation processing.

In response to the instruction for executing activation processing, eachof the HDD 505, the console section 102, the printer section 103, andthe scanner section 104 executes the activation processing, whereby theMFP 100 returns from the power saving mode.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a detection mode-setting process performed bythe CPU 601 appearing in FIG. 3.

Referring to FIG. 4, the network camera 200 receives a detectionmode-setting request from the MFP 100 (step S5001). Then, a detectionframe is set on picked-up image data acquired from the camera section202 (step S5002). The step S5002 corresponds to the operation of adetection frame-setting unit configured to set a detection frameextracted from picked-up image data obtained by picking up an image ofthe information processing apparatus, so as to detect an approach of auser. Note that how a detection frame is set will be describedhereinafter.

Then, it is determined whether or not the size of the detection frame isequal to or larger than a threshold value (step S5003). The step S5003corresponds to the operation of a determination unit configured todetermine whether or not the size of the set detection frame is equal toor larger than a predetermined threshold value. Note that the size of adetection frame will be described hereinafter.

If it is determined in the step S5003 that the size of the detectionframe is equal to or larger than the threshold value (YES to the stepS5003), the detection mode is set to a detection disabled mode (stepS5007), and then the CPU 601 proceeds to a step S5008.

On the other hand, if it is determined in the step S5003 that the sizeof the detection frame is not equal to or larger than the thresholdvalue (NO to the step S5003), it is determined whether or not the sizeof a detection frame outside area is equal to or larger than a thresholdvalue (step S5004). The step S5004 corresponds to another determinationunit configured to determine whether or not the size of a detectionframe outside area which is an area outside the detection frame is equalto or larger than another predetermined threshold value. Note that thesize of the detection frame outside area will be described hereinafter.

If it is determined in the step S5004 that the size of the detectionframe outside area is not equal to or larger than the threshold value(NO to the step S5004), the detection mode is set to a low-accuracydetection mode (step S5005), and then the CPU 601 proceeds to the stepS5008.

On the other hand, if it is determined in the step S5004 that the sizeof the detection frame outside area is equal to or larger than thethreshold value (YES to the step S5004), the detection mode is set to ahigh-accuracy detection mode (step S5006).

When the low-accuracy detection mode is set in the step S5005 or thehigh-accuracy detection mode is set in the step S5006, the CPU 601starts detection using the detection frame in the set mode.

The steps S5005 and S5006 correspond to the operation of a detectionunit configured to detect whether or not a user has approached theinformation processing apparatus, using a detection frame, in a casewhere the size of the detection frame is not equal to or larger than apredetermined threshold value.

Then, the CPU 601 notifies the MFP 100 of the detection mode set in thestep S5005, S5006, or S5007 (step S5008), and returns to the monitoringmode (step S5009), followed by terminating the present process.

Now, a description will be given of how a detection frame is set. To seta detection frame, feature points extracted from an object correspondingto the MFP 100 are stored in the HDD 605 beforehand, and objectdetection is performed on picked-up image data using the feature points.

When the size and orientation of the MFP 100 are detected through theobject detection, the position and size of the detection frame are setsuch that the detection frame corresponds to an area of one meter squarein front of the MFP 100.

Although in the present example, the area of the detection frame is setto one meter square, it may be set to an area other than one metersquare, in a manner adapted to the shape and size of the MFP 100.Detection frame information indicative of the set detection frame isstored in the HDD 605.

Next, a description will be given of the size of a detection frame. Forexample, when the size of a detection frame is much larger than animaging area, there is a possibility that appropriate detection cannotbe performed.

To cope with such a case, a reference threshold value is set in advancefor comparison with the size of the detection frame, and when the sizeof the detection frame is equal to or larger than the threshold value,the detection disabled mode is set.

The reference threshold value is determined based on a plurality offactors, such as the size of the MFP 100 and the view angle andresolution of the network camera 200, so that it is possible to detect auser's approach appropriately, by determining the reference thresholdvalue based on the specifications of the MFP 100 and the network camera200, experiments using the MFP 100 and the network camera 200, etc.

On the other hand, when the size of a detection frame is too small,there is a high possibility that an object cannot be recognized.However, taking into consideration a case where the network camera 200is implemented with sufficiently high recognition performance, it isnecessary to set a threshold value as a lower limit of the detectionframe size, and perform comparison between the size of the detectionframe and the threshold value.

Next, a description will be given of the size of an detection frameoutside area. When the size of an detection frame outside area issufficiently large, it is possible to distinguish between a user and apasser-by by detecting the user's state prior to entering the detectionframe.

Therefore, a reference threshold value is set in advance, and comparisonis performed between the size of the detection frame outside area andthe threshold value.

When the size of the detection frame outside area is not equal to orlarger than the threshold value, it is impossible to detect the user'sstate prior to entering the detection frame, and therefore thelow-accuracy detection mode is set. In the low-accuracy detection mode,a passer-by can be erroneously detected as the user, but it is possibleto return the MFP 100 from the power saving mode without keeping theuser waiting.

On the other hand, when the size of the detection frame outside area isequal to or larger than the threshold value, it is possible to analyzethe user's action prior to entering the detection frame, and thereforethe high-accuracy detection mode is set. The high-accuracy detectionmode is a mode for detecting whether or not the user has approached theMFP 100 in a manner specifically distinguishing a user who is about touse the MFP 100 and a passer-by who passes by the MFP 100.

In the high-accuracy detection mode, when a passer-by is detected, theMFP 100 is not returned from the power saving mode, so that it ispossible to reduce the power consumption of the MFP 100 more thanotherwise.

Note that in the above-described detection mode-setting process, the MFP100 sends a detection mode-setting request to a network camera ornetwork cameras 200 set by the MFP 100 in advance.

This makes it possible to apply the above-described detectionmode-setting process even to a case where images of a plurality of MFPscan be picked up by the same network camera and a case where an image ofthe same MFP can be picked up by a plurality of network cameras. Thedetection mode can be automatically switched by executing the detectionmode-setting process.

According to the detection mode-setting process in FIG. 4, when it isdetermined that the size of the detection frame extracted and set so asto detect an approach of a user is not equal to or larger than thepredetermined threshold value (NO to the step S5003), detection ofwhether or not the user has approached the information processingapparatus is performed using the detection frame (steps S5005, S5006),so that it is possible to automatically configure the settings forenabling appropriate detection of the user. Thus, the present embodimentmakes it possible to automatically configure settings for appropriatelyperforming functional cooperation between an information processingapparatus and an image pickup apparatus.

After a detection mode is set through the detection mode-settingprocess, it can occur that the positional relationship between thenetwork camera 200 and the MFP 100 is changed, and therefore it isrequired to perform re-detection.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a re-detection process performed by the CPU 601appearing in FIG. 3.

Referring to FIG. 5, the network camera 200 receives a re-detectionrequest from the MFP 100 (step S6001).

Then, a detection frame is extracted from the picked-up image dataacquired from the camera section 202 (step S6002), and detection frameinformation indicative of the detection frame set in the detectionmode-setting process is acquired from the HDD 605 for comparison withthe extracted detection frame.

Then, it is determined, based on the result of the comparison, whetheror not the detection frame set in the detection mode-setting process andthe extracted detection frame are equal in size (step S6003).

If it is determined in the step S6003 that the two detection frames arenot equal in size (NO to the step S6003), the CPU 601 notifies the MFP100 that the re-detection is unsuccessful (step S6005), and returns tothe monitoring mode (step S6066), followed by terminating the presentprocess.

On the other hand, if it is determined in the step S6003 that the twodetection frames are equal in size (YES to the step S6003), the CPU 601notifies the MFP 100 that the re-detection is successful (step S6004),and returns to the monitoring mode (step S6006), followed by terminatingthe present process.

In the above-described process, the case where the two detection framesare different in size from each other indicates that the position of atleast one of the MFP 100 and the network camera 200 has changed andhence the size of a detection frame to be held as a cooperation settingis invalid. Such an invalid setting state can occur due to a layoutchange, location of an obstacle, or the like.

When notified of the failure of re-detection, the MFP 100 needs toprompt a user to re-configure the cooperation setting. Alternatively,the MFP 100 may automatically perform configuration of cooperationsettings and then notify a user of the fact alone.

As shown in the re-detection process, a detection frame is extractedanew, and when the extracted new detection frame is different in sizefrom the preceding detection frame, the preceding one is determined asinvalid. This makes it possible to automatically detect invalidity ofthe settings of a detection mode in a case where the positionalrelationship between the MFP 100 and the network camera 200 has beenchanged.

Other Embodiments

Embodiment(s) of the present invention can also be realized by acomputer of a system or apparatus that reads out and executes computerexecutable instructions (e.g., one or more programs) recorded on astorage medium (which may also be referred to more fully as a‘non-transitory computer-readable storage medium’) to perform thefunctions of one or more of the above-described embodiment(s) and/orthat includes one or more circuits (e.g., application specificintegrated circuit (ASIC)) for performing the functions of one or moreof the above-described embodiment(s), and by a method performed by thecomputer of the system or apparatus by, for example, reading out andexecuting the computer executable instructions from the storage mediumto perform the functions of one or more of the above-describedembodiment(s) and/or controlling the one or more circuits to perform thefunctions of one or more of the above-described embodiment(s). Thecomputer may comprise one or more processors (e.g., central processingunit (CPU), micro processing unit (MPU)) and may include a network ofseparate computers or separate processors to read out and execute thecomputer executable instructions. The computer executable instructionsmay be provided to the computer, for example, from a network or thestorage medium. The storage medium may include, for example, one or moreof a hard disk, a random-access memory (RAM), a read only memory (ROM),a storage of distributed computing systems, an optical disk (such as acompact disc (CD), digital versatile disc (DVD), or Blu-ray Disc (BD)™),a flash memory device, a memory card, and the like.

While the present invention has been described with reference toexemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is notlimited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments. The scope of thefollowing claims is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as toencompass all such modifications and equivalent structures andfunctions.

This application claims the benefit of Japanese Patent Application No.2013-220085 filed Oct. 23, 2013, which is hereby incorporated byreference herein in its entirety.

What is claimed is:
 1. An image pickup apparatus configured to notifypredetermined information to an information processing apparatus in acase where an approach of a user to the information processing apparatusis detected, comprising: a non-transitory computer-readable storagemedium storing a computer-executable program; and a computercommunicatively connected to the non-transitory computer-readablestorage medium and configured by the computer-executable program atleast to: set a detection frame extracted from picked-up image dataobtained by picking up an image of the information processing apparatus,so as to detect the user's approach to the information processingapparatus; determine whether or not the set detection frame has a sizeat least larger than a predetermined threshold value; enable a functionof detecting whether or not the user has approached the informationprocessing apparatus, using the detection frame, in a case where it isdetermined that the size of the detection frame at least is not largerthan the predetermined threshold value; and disable the function ofdetecting whether or not the user has approached the informationprocessing apparatus, using the detection frame, in a case where it isdetermined that the size of the detection frame at least is larger thanthe predetermined threshold value.
 2. The image pickup apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein the computer is configured by thecomputer-executable program at least to: determine whether or not adetection frame outside area outside the set detection frame has a sizeat least larger than another predetermined threshold value; and in acase where it is determined that the detection frame outside area has asize at least larger than the another predetermined threshold value,distinguish between a user who is about to use the informationprocessing apparatus and a passer-by who passes by the informationprocessing apparatus, to thereby detect whether or not the user hasapproached the information processing apparatus.
 3. The image pickupapparatus according to claim 1, wherein the detection frame is extractedanew, and in a case where the extracted new detection frame is differentin size from a preceding detection frame, the preceding detection frameis made invalid.
 4. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 1,wherein the predetermined information is for canceling a power savingmode of the information processing apparatus.
 5. An informationprocessing system including an image pickup apparatus and an informationprocessing apparatus configured to receive predetermined informationfrom the image pickup apparatus, wherein the image pickup apparatus isconfigured to notify the predetermined information to the informationprocessing apparatus in a case where an approach of a user to theinformation processing apparatus is detected, and comprises: anon-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing acomputer-executable program; and a computer communicatively connected tothe non-transitory computer-readable storage medium and configured bythe computer-executable program at least to: set a detection frameextracted from picked-up image data obtained by picking up an image ofthe information processing apparatus, so as to detect the user'sapproach to the information processing apparatus; determine whether ornot the set detection frame has a size at least larger than apredetermined threshold value; enable a function of detecting whether ornot the user has approached the information processing apparatus, usingthe detection frame, in a case where it is determined that the size ofthe detection frame at least is not larger than the predeterminedthreshold value; and disable the function of detecting whether or notthe user has approached the information processing apparatus, using thedetection frame, in a case where it is determined that the size of thedetection frame at least is larger than the predetermined thresholdvalue.
 6. The information processing system according to claim 5,wherein the computer is configured by the computer-executable program atleast to: determine whether or not a detection frame outside areaoutside the set detection frame has a size at least larger than anotherpredetermined threshold value; and in a case where it is determined thatthe detection frame outside area has a size at least larger than theanother predetermined threshold value, distinguish between a user who isabout to use the information processing apparatus and a passer-by whopasses by the information processing apparatus, to thereby detectwhether or not the user has approached the information processingapparatus.
 7. The information processing system according to claim 5,wherein the detection frame is extracted anew, and in a case where theextracted new detection frame is different in size from a precedingdetection frame, the preceding detection frame is made invalid.
 8. Theinformation processing system according to claim 5, wherein thepredetermined information is for canceling a power saving mode of theinformation processing apparatus.
 9. A method of controlling an imagepickup apparatus that notifies predetermined information to aninformation processing apparatus in a case where an approach of a userto the information processing apparatus is detected, comprising: acomputer of the image pickup apparatus setting a detection frameextracted from picked-up image data obtained by picking up an image ofthe information processing apparatus, so as to detect the user'sapproach to the information processing apparatus; the computerdetermining whether or not the detection frame set by said setting ofthe detection frame has a size at least larger than a predeterminedthreshold value; the computer enabling a function of detecting whetheror not the user has approached the information processing apparatus,using the detection frame, in a case where it is determined by saiddetermining that the size of the detection frame at least is not largerthan the predetermined threshold value; and the computer disabling thefunction of detecting whether or not the user has approached theinformation processing apparatus, using the detection frame, in a casewhere it is determined that the size of the detection frame at least islarger than the predetermined threshold value.
 10. A non-transitorycomputer-readable storage medium storing a computer-executable programfor executing a method of controlling an image pickup apparatusconfigured to notify predetermined information to an informationprocessing apparatus in a case where an approach of a user to theinformation processing apparatus is detected, wherein the methodcomprises: setting a detection frame extracted from picked-up image dataobtained by picking up an image of the information processing apparatus,so as to detect the user's approach to the information processingapparatus; determining whether or not the detection frame set by saidsetting of the detection frame has a size at least larger than apredetermined threshold value; enabling a function of detecting whetheror not the user has approached the information processing apparatus,using the detection frame, in a case where it is determined by saiddetermining that the size of the detection frame at least is not largerthan the predetermined threshold value; and disabling the function ofdetecting whether or not the user has approached the informationprocessing apparatus, using the detection frame, in a case where it isdetermined that the size of the detection frame at least is larger thanthe predetermined threshold value.